Vynález zkázy / Invention of Destruction (Blu-ray)

*This is NOT a comic! But it is VERY cartoony (highest praise!)

By Karel Zeman. Published by Second Run. 

Blu-ray Disc, 82 minutes, B&W, 1.37:1 aspect ratio, 1958

Presented from a new 4K restoration of the film, Second Run follow their hugely popular release of the visionary Czech animator and filmmaker Karel Zeman's  The Fabulous Baron Munchausen with his most famous work - Invention for Destruction.

Described as the ‘Czech Méliès’, Karel Zeman has been a profound influence on generations of filmmakers. His innovations in the use of live-action and animation mark him as one of the great masters of 20th Century fantasy cinema, alongside his Western counterparts Willis O’Brien, George Pal and Ray Harryhausen.

Invention for Destruction, based on the writings of Jules Verne, is Zeman’s most beloved work and is still the most commercially successful Czech film ever produced (it was released internationally to huge success in 1960, dubbed into English and retitled The Fabulous World of Jules Verne). Wildly inventive, and breaking new ground in its combination of live-action, animation and design, creating a 'steampunk' aesthetic decades ahead of its time. Zeman's film is both a heartfelt homage and love letter to Jules Verne's wonderful tales of science and adventure, and a valiant cry against man's propensity for self-destruction. 

This region-free Blu-ray includes the alternative English-dubbed version of the film, The Fabulous World of Jules Verne, with alternate credits and opening introduction sequence, a new filmed appreciation by filmmaker John Stevenson, new and vintage featurettes and two of Zeman's exquisite short films - Inspiration(1949) and King Lavra (1950).

• Invention for Destruction (Vynález zkázy, 1958) presented from a brand new 4K restoration of the film from original materials.
• Alternate English-dubbed feature presentation as The Fabulous World of Jules Verne, with alternate credits and opening introduction sequence.
• A new appreciation by filmmaker John Stevenson, director of Kung-Fu Pandaand Sherlock Gnomes
• Karel Zeman's animated short films: Inspiration (Inspirace, 1949) and King Lavra(Král Lávra, 1950)
• Feauturettes: The Sea Through Zeman s Lens; Why Zeman Made the Film; Zeman's Special Effects Techniques; Restoring the World of Fantasy; About the Restoration
• Trailer
• Booklet featuring new writing on the film by film critic and historian James Oliver
• Region free Blu-ray and DVD
• Original soundtrack in 2.0 Dual Mono 24-bit LPCM audio